A Suitable Post for Induction and the Induction Period

A Suitable Post for Induction

In order for the ECT to serve induction the Headteacher and Appropriate Body must first agree that the post is suitable for this purpose. The Headteacher of the institution in which an ECT is serving an induction period, and the Appropriate Body, are jointly responsible for ensuring that the supervision and training of the ECT meets their development needs. The duties assigned to the ECT and the conditions under which they work should be such as to facilitate a fair and effective assessment of the ECT’s conduct and efficiency as a teacher against the Teachers’ Standards. In particular a suitable post is expected to:

• have a Headteacher in post who is able to make a recommendation about whether the ECT’s performance against the Teachers’ Standards is satisfactory;
• have prior agreement with an Appropriate Body to act in this role to quality assure the induction process;
• provide the ECT with an ECF-based induction programme;
• provide the ECT with the necessary employment tasks, experience and support to enable them to demonstrate satisfactory performance against the Teachers’ Standards throughout and by the end of the induction period;
• include the appointment of an induction tutor who is expected to hold QTS
• include the appointment of a designated mentor who is expected to hold QTS;
• provide the ECT with a reduced timetable to enable them to undertake activities in their induction programme;
• not make unreasonable demands upon the ECT;
• not normally demand teaching outside the age range and/or subject(s) for which the ECT has been employed to teach;
• not present the ECT, on a day-to-day basis, with discipline problems that are unreasonably demanding for the setting;
• involve the ECT regularly teaching the same class(es);
• involve similar planning, teaching and assessment processes to those in which other teachers working in similar substantive posts in the institution are engaged; and
• not involve additional non-teaching responsibilities without the provision of appropriate preparation and support.

In addition, the Governing Body must be satisfied that the institution has the capacity to support the ECT and that the Headteacher is fulfilling their responsibilities.

Determining the length of the induction period

The length of the induction period an ECT is required to serve, whether the teaching post in which they are doing so is part-time or full-time, is the full-time equivalent of two school years (this usually consists of six school terms, divided into two periods each consisting of three school terms). The Appropriate Body makes the final decision about the equivalence to two school years in cases where the ECT serves induction in more than one setting or in non-standard settings such as those in the FE sector. In some exceptional circumstances the length of an induction period may be reduced.

Minimum period of continuous employment that can count towards induction

The minimum period of employment that can be counted towards completion of the induction period (for both full-time and part-time ECTs) is one term (based on an institution that operates three terms in an academic year). This applies to both permanent and long-term supply teaching posts. It also reflects the need for each ECT to work in a stable environment and receive a supported and pre-planned induction programme. In addition, it is important that the ECT is in post long enough to be able to receive sufficient monitoring and feedback and prepare for a fair and reasonable assessment to be made of their performance. It would be very difficult to do this against all of the Teachers' Standards over a period of less than one term.

Any periods of induction served under the Welsh induction regulations in Wales can count towards induction in England.

Length of the induction period for an ECT who works part-time

ECTs serving induction on a part-time basis at any point will need to serve the full-time equivalent (FTE) of two full school years. Therefore an ECT working part-time as a 0.5 FTE will need to serve induction for four school years.

It is for the school and Appropriate Body to decide in each individual case the length of the induction period required which is fair and takes full account of the ECT’s working pattern.

In cases where part-time ECTs have completed a period covering but not equivalent to two full school years and can demonstrate that they meet the Teachers’ Standards they may be able to have their induction reduced.

ECTs may only serve one induction period

An ECT has only one chance to complete statutory induction. An ECT who has completed induction, and is judged to have failed to meet the Teachers’ Standards at the end of their induction period, is not permitted to repeat induction. While such an ECT does not lose their QTS, they cannot be employed lawfully as a teacher in a relevant school, including any post where they would carry out specified work. Their name is included on the list of persons, held by the Teaching Regulation Agency, who have failed to satisfactorily complete an induction period.

Completing the induction period

An ECT completes their induction period when they have served:

• the full-time equivalent of two standard school years (usually six terms); or
• a reduced period of a minimum of one term (as agreed with the Appropriate Body) based on previous teaching experience; or
• a reduced period of induction for part-time teachers covering but not equivalent to two school years (as agreed with the Appropriate Body); or
• an extension to that period, as a consequence of absences occurring during the period; or
• an extension following a decision by the Appropriate Body or the Appeals Body.
• The Appropriate Body makes the final decision as to whether or not an ECT’s performance against the Teachers’ Standards is satisfactory, drawing on the recommendation of the Headteacher.
• Within 20 working days of receiving the Headteacher’s recommendation, the Appropriate Body must decide whether the ECT:
  • has performed satisfactorily against the Teachers’ Standards and thereby satisfactorily completed their induction period;
  • requires an extension of the induction period; or
  • has failed to satisfactorily complete the induction period.

In making this decision the Appropriate Body must take into account the Headteacher’s recommendation and all available evidence including any written representations from the ECT.

The Appropriate Body must, within three working days of making the decision, make written notification of the decision to: the ECT; the Headteacher (in whose institution the ECT was working at the end of their induction); and the employer. They must also notify the Teaching Regulation Agency within three working days in the case of decisions to fail or extend the ECT’s induction, and via the termly return for other notifications.

If the Appropriate Body decides to extend the period of induction or that the ECT has failed to complete their induction period satisfactorily, they must inform the ECT of their right to appeal against this decision, with the name and address of the Appeals Body (the Teaching Regulation Agency), and the deadline for appeals. The ECT must notify the Teaching Regulation Agency that they wish to appeal the decision within 20 working days, after which the right of appeal expires except in exceptional circumstances.

Failure to complete the induction period satisfactorily means that the ECT is no longer eligible to be employed as a teacher in a maintained school, a maintained nursery school, a non-maintained special school or a pupil referral unit. However, this does not prevent them from teaching in other settings where statutory induction is not mandatory.

An ECT working in a relevant school who has failed induction must be dismissed within ten working days of them giving notice that they do not intend to exercise their right to appeal, or from when the time limit for making an appeal expires without an appeal being brought. If the ECT’s appeal is heard, and they have been judged as having failed induction, the employer should dismiss the ECT within ten working days of being told of the outcome of the hearing.

The Teaching Regulation Agency must ensure that the name of the person who has failed induction is included on the list of persons who have failed to satisfactorily complete an induction period and notify them of their inclusion. This must only be done once the time limit for making an appeal against the decision has expired or following dismissal of such an appeal.

Raising concerns

An ECT should normally raise any concerns about their induction programme with their Induction Tutor in the first instance. If the matter is not resolved, the ECT may notify the named contact at the Appropriate Body who should, as soon as possible, investigate the issues raised.